Spain’s Premier Says He Erred, but Rejects Calls to Step Down

MADRID — Spain’s embattled prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, made a rare appearance before lawmakers on Thursday morning, fending off demands for his resignation over systemic corruption in his governing party and declaring he erred by trusting an accountant now jailed over the hiding of millions of euros in a Swiss bank account.

His hourlong speech in the crowded Senate was intended to counter allegations that the accountant, Luis Bárcenas, had presided over secret accounts for the governing Popular Party when he was its treasurer, handing out envelopes of cash to politicians from clandestine donations. Mr. Bárcenas has been in prison since June under investigation over bank accounts in Switzerland and other countries that totaled at least 47 million euros, or $61 million.

“I was wrong,” Mr. Rajoy, 58, said. “I regret this, but that’s it. I made a mistake by maintaining my confidence in someone we now know did not deserve it.”

As the investigation unfolded, Mr. Bárcenas left as treasurer of Mr. Rajoy’s party in 2009 but continued receiving a six-figure salary from it. Mr. Bárcenas’s version of events has varied, but he has told a judge he collected millions in cash donations from construction magnates and distributed them to senior party figures, including Mr. Rajoy.

Mr. Rajoy denied those allegations, saying they were part of a calculated legal strategy for Mr. Bárcenas. It was the first time Mr. Rajoy has admitted error since disclosures in January that Mr. Bárcenas had hidden money in Swiss bank accounts.

Mr. Rajoy’s appearance came in the same week that the secretary general of his governing party, María Dolores de Cospedal, was ordered by the court to answer questions about allegations that she received secret bonuses from Mr. Bárcenas to augment her salary.

The court, which is examining the accountant’s elaborate finances, has also demanded testimony on Aug. 14 by two other former secretaries general.

In his combative speech, Mr. Rajoy said corruption was not systemic in his party, but was a reflection of the acts of individuals. He said he had decided to face Parliament on the issue to prevent damage to Spain’s image as its struggling economy showed some signs of improvement, like increased tourism.

For four years, he said, he believed Mr. Bárcenas was innocent until the moment of the discovery of secret bank accounts in Switzerland. The Swiss authorities have said Spanish investigators delayed pressing for the information. “This has been my role in this story,” Mr. Rajoy said. “Did I make a mistake to trust an inadequate person? Yes.”

The opposition was not swayed. Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, leader of the main opposition party, the Socialists, addressed Parliament after Mr. Rajoy and said the Popular Party had won elections over 20 years through a system of illegal financing.

“Every Spaniard knew that the treasurer was a fiscal delinquent,” Mr. Rubalcaba said, “and yet the president of the government continued to send him affectionate text messages.

“The option is not whether to believe Mr. Bárcenas or Mr. Rajoy, but whether to believe lies or facts,” he added. “The facts are just the way they seem to be. If you don’t respect the Parliament, at least respect the intelligence of Spaniards.”

“You must go, Mr. Rajoy,” Mr. Rubalcaba said.

Raphael Minder contributed reporting from Geneva.

A version of this article appears in print on , on Page A8 of the New York edition with the headline: Spain’s Premier Says He Erred, But Rejects Calls to Step Down. Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | Subscribe